Nick in the AM: Great Glen Avenue Fried Chicken War about to begin

Wednesday

Feb 14, 2018 at 7:56 AMFeb 14, 2018 at 8:25 AM

Nick Vlahos Journal Star reporter @vlahosnick

Good morning, troops. It's Wednesday, Feb. 14.

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent for most Christian denominations. It also is Valentine's Day, perhaps a time for a romantic meal. Nick in the Morning dealt with that intersection Tuesday.

Fast-food fried chicken might not be your idea of the perfect Valentine's repast. But for that date in 2019, and dates much sooner than that, multiple clucker options will be available along about one block of Glen Avenue in Central Peoria.

For months, a Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen has been taking shape at Glen and Renwood avenues, near Northwoods Mall. The restaurant is expected to open sometime in March.

The previous building on that site had housed a Mexican restaurant. Before that, the demolished structure was the longtime home of Donnelly's Shamrock Pub, which relocated about five years ago and changed names.

The new Popeye's probably is about a short par 3 from another fried-chicken emporium — the KFC at 2231 W. Glen Ave. You might be able to throw a drumstick from one location and hit the other.

The proximity isn't quite like that of two legendary hot-dog joints in Detroit, American and Lafayette Coney Islands, but it's close. The rivalry between those establishments sounds keen, but they also are locally owned and offer a unique product.

We like KFC and Popeye's as much as the next guy. And it's true that Popeye's isn't just a bird bastion anymore. It also offers fried shrimp and jambalaya, among other things.

But wouldn't it make more sense to have the fried chicken wealth distributed more evenly in the city?

Not really, according to the Popeye's local franchisee.

"You see Popeye's and KFC next to each other in a lot of places. Well, not next to each other, but close by," Springfield-based Rick Walimohammad said. "I just look at the areas. Lots of traffic and people is what we're looking for.

"We think that side of town needs a Popeye's."

Walimohammad has been a Popeye's person for almost 30 years, so we'll trust his judgment. He owns the existing Popeye's in Peoria, at 1800 N. Knoxville Ave., and another in East Peoria.

Among other locations in the 10-store Walimohammad Popeye's empire are Bloomington; Champaign; Danville; Davenport, Iowa; and Moline.

For those who fear a Great Glen Avenue Fried Chicken War might turn messy, rest a little easier. Walimohammad is willing to create a pseudo-demilitarized zone between Popeye's and KFC, if the right tenant comes along.

A house that used to separate KFC from the Popeye's property has been razed. On that land, Walimohammad envisions constructing a building that can house one or more retailers.

The property can accommodate a structure of about 6,000 square feet, but that size is negotiable, according to Walimohammad.